Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Senate Approves Children's Health Insurance

Great News! The United States Senate last night successfully passed the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Reauthoriazation bill by a vote of 66-32, bringing us another step closer to ensuring that nearly 11 million children from low-income families will have access to healthcare coverage. You're the Cure advocates played an important role by sending messages to their Senators.

Now, the House or Representatives is expected to take up and pass the Senate version of the bill next week. It could be signed into law byPresident Obama before the end of next week!

Did you know heart defects are the most common birth defect in the United States, and stroke is among the top 10 causes of death in children? If signed by the President, SCHIP would ensure that more children from low-income families who are born with these conditions are not denied the opportunity to lead healthy and productive lives simply because their parents cannot afford health insurance. SCHIP also includes a state option to cover targeted low-income pregnant women through the program, as a way to provide the essential prenatal care that can help reduce birth defects.

Passage of SCHIP is a major victory for us all! Congratulations!

Check out what the American Heart Association's new CEO, Nancy Brown, said about this issue.See her response here.